After Laughter

After Laughter is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Paramore. It was released on May 12, 2017, through Fueled by Ramen, as a follow-up to their 2013 self-titled album. After Laughter was produced by guitarist Taylor York alongside previous collaborator Justin Meldal-Johnsen. It is the band's first album since the return of drummer Zac Farro (who left the band with his brother Josh in 2010) and the departure of former bassist Jeremy Davis (who left the band in 2015). After Laughter represents a complete departure from the pop-punk and alternative rock sound of the band's previous releases and, in direct contrast to its upbeat and vibrant sound, touches on themes of exhaustion, depression and anxiety. Upon release, After Laughter received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised the band's new sonic direction and the 1980s new wave and synth-pop sound on the album. Several publications featured the album in their year-end lists, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. In 2019, Pitchfork listed it at number 169 in their list of best albums of the decade. After Laughter was supported by five singles: "Hard Times", released on April 19, 2017; "Told You So", released on May 3, 2017; "Fake Happy", released on August 29, 2017; "Rose-Colored Boy", released on March 2, 2018; and "Caught in the Middle", released on June 26, 2018. The album debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200, marking their third top 10 album on the chart, with 67,000 album-equivalent units.